Finals still alive after tough victory

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oakey has kept their finals hopes alive with a gruelling 29-20 win over Brothers at Glenholme Park on Saturday night. The victory keeps them just two wins outside of the top-five, and president Shane Williamson said they didn’t come into the game taking their opponents lightly. “It was a bit of a scrappy game with dropped ball from both sides,” Williamson said. “We were wary of Brothers. They will upset some teams. “Aria (Emmanuel Cerei), Josh Robsinson and Corey (Mullins) all had a big game.” The Bears looked set to rack up a big score early on after tries to Dylan Adamson and Josh Robinson had them up by 12 in the space of eight minutes.

Brothers were able to get their hands on the ball after being starved of possession, and made the most of it when five-eighth Jake Head cut through the defensive line.

The two sides were able to trade blows prior to half-time, before Cerei landed an unconventional field goal three minutes before the break to give the Bears a 19-8 lead.

Halfback Sam Betros showed his ability to take on the line, striking for Brothers inside two minutes of the second half to get them within striking distance, before a pair of Bears tries to Adamson and Jordan Boney pushed the lead out to 17.

The Leprechauns were able to produce another two late tries, but they would ultimately fall short, missing all five conversion attempts in the process.

Oakey faces an acid test this weekend when they come up against Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy winners Valleys, and Williamson said the young side would again have to step up to their more fancied rivals.

“We have been talking about it at training that we can’t afford to lose any more games,” he said.

“Every week is like a grand final, and Valleys at home will test where we are.

“Our forwards have to muscle up. I know our backline’s way better and if we can get on top there our backs will carve them.

“We have to get a roll going. Corey, Dylan (Haaijer) and Shane (Turl) all have to step up. It’s a big game this weekend coming.”

Brothers have the chance to pick up their second win of the season when they face Southern Suburbs at Glenholme Park on Sunday.